Lake Maggiore, Italy - Attraction and Guide
It is the second largest among the northern Italian lakes with 64km length. From the north the lake is fed by the River Ticino and from the northwest, by the River Toce.
One-fifth of the lake is within the Swiss borders in Locarno. The city was under the control of Milan until 1512. Locarno is a health resort today, facing the lake.
During the Roman period it was called Lacus Verbanus due to the verbena plant growing around its shores.
This lake has connections with the Viscontis and the Borromeos. Especially Borromeos still have some land and islands in the area.
Stresa is the main resort on the lake which is facing the Borromean Islands. There is a smaller lake to the west of Maggiore called Lake Orta. San Giulio town and the island are the main sights of the area. The largest among the smaller lakes around the Lake Maggiore is the Lake Varese.
The Piedmont Shore
Cannobio
It is a medieval town on the Piedmont shore. On Sundays there is a quayside market in the town, it is maybe the best day to spend a few hours. In the town, there are the Santuario della Pietà church and the church of Santa Ana.
Cannero Riviera
The narrow mountain road from Cannobio reaches the Via Vigezzo and Cannero Riviera which has picturesque houses and a little harbour.
Ghiffa
From Cannero Riviera to south, the next town is Ghiffa. It used to be an important town for hat-making until 1981 when the company in the town which was the largest hat factory in Italy, was closed. Therefore there is a worth visiting Hat Museum in Ghiffa. It is open between 15:30 and 18:30 on Saturdays and Sundays.
Verbania
In 1939 the towns Intra, Pallanza and Suna were merged to form Verbania. There is a ferry to Laveno which takes about 20 minutes to cross the lake. Among the three towns, Intra is the most industrial one. Pallanza has a superb lake view with parks and gardens on the shore. In this town there is the Church of San Leonardo dating back to the 16th century and the Museo del Paesaggio which has some sculptures and some local archaeological finds. The museum is open between 10am and 12pm and from 15:30 to 18:30 every day except Mondays from April to October. Isolino di San Giovanni is the 4th and smallest among the Borromean Islands facing the town. Unfortunately it is the only one that cannot be visited.
Villa Taranto
It is one of the most important attractions in Verbania. It is not open to public but it is used for congresses and conferences. The gardens of the villa are open daily from 08:30am to 18:30 between April and October.
Parco Nazionale della Val Grande
It is the least inhabited area of the Alps located between Verbania and the Via Vigezzo. It is a good hiking place for the experienced climbers.
Baveno
Lago di Mergozza was a part of the lake however it was cut off by silt deposits from the river. The road from the lakeside goes to Baveno which became popular with the visit of Queen Victoria. She stayed at the Castello Branca. There is the 11th century church of Santi Gervasioe Protasio and the Casa Morandi in Baveno.
Stresa
It is the most popular town on Lake Maggiore. There are nice hotels along the lake shore, gardens, villas and a nice view of the Borromean Islands.
Piazza Cadorna is the town centre with cafés and shops.
Villa Pallavicino is a botanical garden and and animal park located in the south of the town. It is open from March to October between 9am and 18:00.
Another attraction is the Villa Ducale with a small museum in it. The museum is open between 9am and 12pm and from 15:00 to 18:00.
Monte Mottarone
is located in the north of Stresa which is 1491m high. There is a cable car running at every hour between 09:30am and 17:30 which takes about 18 minutes to reach the top. At the top station you may hire mountain bikes. Another way to reach the top is driving via a toll road, passing through the Giardino Alpinia. These are the Alpine rock gardens which are between 9am and 18:00 every day except Mondays and Sundays from April to October. On Sundays it is open between 9am and 18:30. There is also an Umbrella Museum which is open between 10am and 12pm and from 15:00 to 18:00 every day except Mondays from April to September.
Macugnaga
It is an Alpine village and a ski resort. From Stresa the road goes to the Dossola River, passing the Candoglia marble quarries and reaching to the Azasca Valley in the west. After the valley there is the village of Macugnaga. There is a cable car and chair lift reaching the slopes.
The Hundred Valley Line
There is a train from Stresa to Domodossola where you change for another railway running along the Vigezzo Valley. It is known as the Hundred Valleys because of the number of tributaries joining the main valley. It ends up at Locarno.
The Borromean Islands
During the 15th century the Borromeo family took the control of the area. Today they own much of it including the four little islands on the Lake Maggiore. Among them Isolino di San Giovanni is private and cannot be visited by the tourists. Other three islands could be visisted by the boats from Stresa, Baveno and Pallanza.
Isola Madre
It is the largest island. It is close to Pallanza and is open for tourists from March to September between 9am and 17:30. There are nice gardens and an 11th century villa which has the collection of paintings and Borromeo family's puppet theatre.
Isola dei Pescatori
It used to be a fishing village. There is an 11th century church worth visiting.
Isola Bella
It is located close to Stresa. During the 17th century Carlo III Borromeo commissioned the architect Angelo Crivelli to build gardens, fountains, statues and a palazzo for his wife Isabella. The palace is open between 9am and 17:30 from March to September.
Arona
It is located in the south of Stresa. It is a worth visiting market town which was protected by a Borromeo fortress. The fortress is in ruins because of the attacks by Napoleon. In the town there is the Piazza del Popula where the 15th century Casa del Podestà and the 16th century Church of Madonna di Piazza are located. Santa Maria and Santi Martiri are the other two churches in the town. The most popular attractions in Arona are the Statue of San Carlo Borromeo who was the famous 16th century Archbishop of Milan.
The Lombardy Shore of Lake Maggiore
Angera
It is located opposite of Arona. It has a castle called Rocca di Angera which was built by Lombards. The castle and the museum inside are open every day between 9am and 17:30 from Easter to October.
Santa Caterina del Sasso
The monastery is located in the north of Angera which is open every day between 08:30am and 12pm and from 14:30 to 18:00 between April and October.
Laveno
It is a harbour town on the lake. There is a ferry running to Intra. The town is famous for ceramics industry which was closed in 1980. There is a Ceramics Museum open between 10am and 12pm and from 14:30 to 18:00 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Luino
It is believed to be the birthplace of Bernardino Luini who was the most important of Leonardo's followers. Wednesday is the best time to visit for the market which is located in Piazza Garibaldi.
Maccagno
It is one of the oldest settlements on the lake. It is not a busy town and can be visited for a walk in Val Veddasca.
